Val Kilmer says was fun working with Tom Cruise on Top Gun: Maverick

Val Kilmer was reunited with Tom Cruise, 59, when they filmed Top Gun: Maverick.

It had been 36 years since they played competing pilots in the 1986 original Top Gun, which was a massive blockbuster.

Now Kilmer has told Entertainment Weekly that it was like no time had passed when he was on set with Cruise again, and it was fun too. ‘We blew a lot of takes laughing so much,’ the 62-year-old stated. ‘It was really fun… special.’ 

Back on screen: Val Kilmer was reunited with Tom Cruise, 59, when they filmed Top Gun: Maverick

Ice: Kilmer is pictured in costume for his character, Tom Kazansky, or Iceman, in Top Gun (1986) and seen in the sequel Top Gun: Maverick

Kilmer reprised his role of antagonist, Tom Kazansky, or better known as Iceman.

In the sequel, he has been promoted to Admiral Kazansky, and enlists the help of Maverick, played by Cruise. 

Maverick is asked to return to the Top Gun program to train a group of pilots for a dangerous mission. 

The scene shot between both actors was a heartfelt reunion both on and off the screen. ‘It was like no time had passed at all,’ Kilmer stated to the publication. 

The star: Tom Cruise as Capt. Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell in Top Gun: Maverick. Kilmer has told Entertainment Weekly that it was like no time had passed when he was on set with Cruise again, and it was fun too. ‘We blew a lot of takes laughing so much,’ the 62-year-old stated. ‘It was really fun… special’

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Two iconic roles are back: Maverick and Iceman, the antagonist in Top Gun, brought an iconic story to the screen

Victory: Although Kilmer plays Cruise’s nemesis in Top Gun, the two share a smile to celebrate 

Director Joseph Kosinski wanted Iceman to somehow be incorporated into the second movie, and Cruise was also adamant that Kilmer be included. 

Val himself helped come up with a way to naturally bring back his iconic character. 

And thus, a beautiful reunion between the two characters was created. ‘Very special to see not only Val and Tom, but Maverick and Iceman back on the screen together,’ Kosinski said. 

In the movie, Iceman communicates with Maverick using written word due to an illness that made speaking difficult. In real life, Kilmer suffered from throat cancer which has impaired his speech. 

A classic film: Top Gun (1986) was a big hit in theaters, and a sequel was created and released in 2022 titled Top Gun: Maverick; from left, Cruise, Edwards and Kilmer

According to EW, originally, Kilmer didn’t have much interest in being cast in the 1986 Top Gun film. In his own memoir titled, I’m Your Huckleberry, the actor wrote, ‘I didn’t care about the film. The story didn’t interest me.’ 

His agent was able to convince the star to meet with the director, Tony Scott, and from there, the rest is history. 

When news that a sequel was in the works, Kilmer undoubtedly wanted to become a part of the project. 

After the success of the 1986 film, the Batman Forever actor went on to star in a number of successful feature films, like Tombstone (1993), and Heat (1995). 

Top Gun: Maverick has received rave reviews, and on some occasions, tickets were entirely sold out at theaters. 

According to Collider, the sequel has already reached a total of almost $600 million in the box office worldwide. The film was released in USA theaters on May 27, and at the current rate, the movie might see $1 billion in box office sale in the end. 

A memorable role: The 62-year-old at first wasn’t interested in a role in Top Gun, but after meeting director, Tony Scott, the actor wanted to be a part of the movie